News & Comment

Tue 13th March, 2018

Forest has criticised the government's plan, revealed today, to introduce an excise tax on heated tobacco.

Director Simon Clark said, "Heated tobacco may not be as safe as electronic cigarettes but current evidence suggests there is almost certain to be a reduction in risk for cigarette smokers.

"Why would any government want to undermine the future of a product that may encourage smokers to quit voluntary and without coercion?"

According to the government the duty on heated tobacco will be calculated based on the weight of the tobacco in the product.

Clark added, "Many smokers have tried e-cigarettes but don't like them. The attraction of heated tobacco is that it fills the gap between combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes which don't contain tobacco.

"Heated tobacco products are still in their infancy. Adding excise duty will almost certainly deter many smokers from switching to a potentially safer device."

Smokers’ lobby group Forest has called for amendments to the smoking ban in Scotland ahead of the fifth anniversary of its introduction. The group wants pubs and clubs to have the option of separate, well-ventilated smoking rooms.

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Disclaimer: Forest is supported by British American Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco Limited and Gallaher Limited (a member of the Japan Tobacco Group of Companies). The views expressed on this or any other Forest-affiliated website are those of Forest alone.